Jammu: The Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has strongly refuted media reports alleging that the yatra on August 26 was allowed in disregard of weather advisories.
Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the natural disaster, the Board has termed such allegations as false and baseless.
The Board has clarified that weather conditions on the morning of August 26 remained clear and conducive for pilgrimage until about 10:00 AM, during which time helicopter services also operated normally. Shrine Board enforcement staff and its Disaster Management Task Force were deployed across the track as per established SOPs, while weather updates were closely monitored.
On receipt of a forecast for moderate rains, registrations were immediately suspended. By then, the majority of pilgrims had completed darshan and were descending towards Katra. Thousands of yatris returned safely without disruption.
It was further stated that the Tarakote track, considered vulnerable to slides, had been closed since August 24 in the interest of safety. The old track, generally stable and not prone to landslides, was kept open under close watch. Even this route was suspended by 12:00 noon on August 26 once the specific weather advisory was issued.
The tragic incident occurred near Inderprastha Bhojanalaya on the old track, historically regarded as one of the safest locations. A sudden severe cloudburst at around 2:40 PM triggered a massive landslide over a 50-metre stretch—an unprecedented event never recorded in the past, and a clear case of force majeure.
Swift evacuation and relief operations were launched immediately by the Shrine Board’s Disaster Management Task Force in coordination with District Administration Reasi, J&K Police, CRPF, Army, NDRF, SDRF, and volunteers. Eighteen injured pilgrims were evacuated and provided treatment at the Shrine Board’s Superspecialty Hospital, Kakryal. All stranded yatris were safely brought down to Katra the same evening.
The Shrine Board has reaffirmed that every precaution was taken in accordance with official forecasts and advisories, with pilgrim safety as the topmost priority. The Board stands with the bereaved families in this hour of grief and assures all possible assistance to the next of kin. Injured pilgrims are receiving the best possible care.
